You can find 13 of America’s “Best New Beers” in Washington

Each year Maxim magazine selects “The 25 Best New Beers in America.” I knew it was that time of year again when a man recently entered the store, slipped the magazine across the counter, and whispered, “Do you have any of the beers listed in my son’s magazine?” (Yeah, buddy, I’m sure that’s your kid’s magazine.)

There are a few beers on Maxim magazine’s list that I was surprised to see because I don’t consider them “new.” The re-branded Pyramid Hefe Weizen, now called Haywire, has been around since about 2001. Both the Dogfish Head Indian Brown and North Coast Old Stock Ale have been in the craft beer market since at least 2002. While there are a few others I question as “new” let’s get on with the 13 “Best New Beers” that you can find in Washington state…

Widmer Drifter: This American Pale Ale is refreshing and sports flavors of zesty tangerine, orange, and grapefruit hops on doughy, honey-caramel malts. The finish is dry and crisp. I like Drifter best on a warm day. 5.7% ABV (I’m also excited to see the Widmer Brothers releasing more beers, such as their limited Cherry Doppelbock in fall 2009 and the new Deadlift IPA.)

Great Divide Hoss: A fall seasonal, if you missed it last year, it’s a long wait until fall…but it’s worth the wait. Hoss is an Oktoberfest style lager that’s brewed with rye, giving it rich, layered toasty and spicy malts, with hints of cherry, citrus, and caramel. I love rye beers…they’re a little spicy and a little dry. 6.2% ABV

New Belgium Hoptober: Another fall seasonal, you’ll have to wait for unless you find an old bottle floating around a grocery shelf somewhere. Hoptober was crisp, creamy and crammed with fruity-citrus hops. 6% ABV. (If you’re hankering for something new from New Belgium and don’t want to wait ’til fall for Hoptober, check out their new Ranger IPA.)

Oskar Blues Ten Fidy: A staple food in our fridge, Ten Fidy is a rotating release imperial stout, has titanic flavors of deep bittersweet chocolate, roasty coffee, and leafy bittering hops, with hints of nuts, dark fruit, and vanilla. There’s nothing like opening a can of beer to hear a ‘glug’ and see a bit of motor-oil black ale! 10.5% ABV

Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen: A good friend to me over the years, Pyramid’s hefe features flavors of wheaty citrus, with a touch of spice. 5.2% ABV

Samuel Adams Noble Pils: A spring release from Boston Beer Company, you’ll find this German-style pilsner in stores now. What I really liked about this beer was the balance of honey malts with the lemongrass flavored hops; very crisp and refreshing! 5.2% ABV

Sierra Nevada Torpedo: A West-coast style American IPA that’s got zesty tongue-tingling hop flavors of bitter pine, earth, and grapefruit on caramelly and bready malts. This beer’s smooth, with a lingering hop finish. 7.4% ABV (A heads-up for beer newbies: When you see “West-coast” as a descriptor on IPAs, expect the beer to have an intensely bitter character.)

Bud Light Golden Wheat: Yes, a new low-calorie hefeweizen from InBev / Anheuseur-Busch. At 118 calories, it’s light, citrusy, and crisp…and there may just be a hint of coriander. Not bad, but my figure says, “I don’t mind the calories.” 4.1% ABV

21st Amendment Brew Free! Or Die IPA: I admit this is one of my favorite “new to Washington IPAs” of the year. Upon first sniff, I thought “gummi bears.” The authentic German-import gummi bears that my high school German teacher would reward us with for memorizing phrases like, ‘Ich verstehe etwas von kunst.’ The flavor is of honey-and-caramel drizzled pale malts balanced with citrus hops. Like Oskar Blues, 21st Amendment’s beers are packaged in cans, which protect the beer from light giving a longer shelf life—and they’re easier to bring along on outdoor activities than bottles. 7.2% ABV

Dogfish Head Indian Brown: I’m a big Dogfish fan. (Hint, hint, Mr. Calagione, please come visit me during Seattle Beer Week!) Their brown ale is a bit hoppy, reminiscent of a triad of styles: American Brown, Scotch, and IPA. The flavors are chocolate and caramel, there’s a slight tartness and hints of smoke and nuts. Indian Brown tastes great with Goobers and Raisinettes…and it’s quite tasty with cheese pizza. 7.2% ABV

North Coast Old Stock Ale: Old ales are a favorite of mine, and Old Stock is one of my top picks for the style. I love that North Coast clearly labels each year’s vintage of Old Stock for cellaring, so I don’t have to pull out the permanent markers. Though a few alcoholic notes are present on the first few sips, I quickly get into the flavor. Old Stock is smooth and creamy, with notes of rum-raisin, caramel, and toasted grains. Some days I also taste chocolate, coffee, and smoke. 12.5% ABV

Deschutes Green Lakes Organic Ale: Yes, organic beer can taste good—and do good for the environment: Deschutes brewed this beer with Salmon-Safe certified Sterling hops. Green Lakes is an amber ale that tastes of toasty sweet malts intertwined with spicy, grassy, piney, and citrus hops. I also found hints of dark fruit, nuts, and toffee. It’s also tasty with cheese pizza. 5.2% ABV

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA: There’s a reason this beer has won so many gold medals the last couple of years…it’s delicious!! Union Jack is a citrus bomb of tangerine, grapefruit, orange, and pineapple, with notes of brown sugar and honey. It’s also on my list of favorite “new to Washington IPAs” of the year and can pair nicely with a delicious carrot cake. 7.5% ABV